Police frustrated by risky behaviour on roads to snow

Police are pleading with motorists to take extra care on roads when heading to the state’s snowfields after issuing another 200 infringement notices last weekend.

The warning also comes following a tragic fatality at Mount Buller on Monday morning where a 27-year-old male passenger died after a tree fell on the vehicle travelling along Mount Buller Road around 9:15am.

Operation Eastern Snow has seen police highly visible and enforcing on roads heading to and from Victoria’s alpine areas, including Mount Buller, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham.

Last weekend, police detected 201 offences over a three-day period, including:

• 147 speeding offences, including 109 for travelling between 15km/h and 25km/h over the speed limit
• 19 unregistered vehicles
• 12 defect notices issued to unsafe vehicles
• 7 heavy vehicle offences
• 7 seatbelt offences
• 3 drug driving offences from 68 roadside drug tests
• 2 drink driving offences from 684 preliminary breath tests
• A total 473 motorists intercepted

Notably, Wangaratta Highway Patrol impounded a Ford Raptor on Friday 7 August at approximately 9:42pm when it was observed by police overtaking five vehicles at 152km/h in a 100km/h zone on Snow Road in Whorouly, with the driver to be summonsed to court and the vehicle impounded for 30 days.

The recent detections for Operation Eastern Snow follow a further 213 offences detected by police between 24 and 26 July.

Police are promising to continue cracking down on drivers who show a blatant disregard for the road rules when heading to the snow, with the operation set to continue during the remaining snow season.

Motorists are being urged to drive to the conditions, particularly during treacherous weather periods and are being reminded to slow down, remain alert on unfamiliar roads and allow plenty of travel time, especially during busy periods.

All vehicles entering alpine areas during the declared snow season are required by law to carry wheel chains and fit them when instructed. Failure to carry chains may result in a $418 fine, while failing to fit them when required may attract a $1046 penalty.

Car snow chains are essential for navigating steep, icy roads and can be the difference between staying on the road or sliding off it.

Operation Eastern Snow will continue throughout the Mount Buller, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham areas during August.

Quotes attributable to Eastern Region Road Policing Inspector, Jarrad Dowswell:

“It is extremely concerning that we continue to detect such high levels of non-compliance by drivers travelling to and from the alpine areas.

“As we’ve unfortunately seen this week, the roads heading to and from the snow can be treacherous and unforgiving, and to then have some motorists taking dangerous risks like overtaking at speed on these roads, is incredibly frustrating.

“With the snow season well and truly underway, those heading to the snowfields should expect to see and be intercepted by police – we will continue to be highly visible and enforcing, and won’t hesitate to issue penalties to those caught breaking the rules.

“All drivers should be mindful of the conditions and remember that it’s imperative to slow down, avoid distractions and dangerous overtaking, and manage fatigue when travelling to the snowfields.”

Media Unit

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